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Cole Hamels Makes Start Against Mets In Series Finale

Erik Seybold Sports Editor

Published15 Apr 2012

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(Philliedelphia/Lindsey Crew)

The Phillies have been outscored by the Mets 10-2 through the first two games of this weekend series. The Fightins dropped game one, 5-2 on Friday night and were blanked yesterday afternoon, 5-0. With the Mets taking the first two games, they have already won the series match up, their first series win in Philly since September 24-26, 2010. If they can sweep the Phillies today, it will be the first time in almost six years. The last Mets' sweep in Philadelphia came on June 13-15, 2006. Let's hope Cole Hamels can prevent that from happening.

The Phillies are 3-5 on the year, sitting in fourth in the NL East while the Mets are 6-2 and hold second place in the standings. Cole Hamels (0-1, 5.06 ERA) is hoping to move his team closer to the top as they take on the Mets in this series finale before hitting the West Coast for a 10-game road trip. In Hamels' last start, the home opener, he was rocked around by the Marlins as he gave up four runs (three earned) on eight hits through 5 1/3 innings. Hamels did, however, strike out 9 batters before being replaced in the sixth. Hamels took the loss in the 6-2 defeat and he hopes to make an improvement today as he takes on the Mets.

Hamels has not been what you could say "successful" against the Mets through his career. In over 100 innings pitched against the Mets, Hamels has a 3-10 record and a 4.46 ERA. When Hamels last pitched against the Mets back on September 24, 2011, he tossed seven strong innings allowing just one earned run, three walks, and ended up striking out seven while receiving the no-decision.

Opposing the Phillies on the hill will be Mike Pelfrey (0-0, 4.76 ERA), who in his last start allowed three earned runs on a career-high 10 hits. Pelfrey also reached a career-high eight strikeouts while earning a no-decision. Pelfrey has been unsuccessfull against the Phillies throughout his career. Last season, the Phillies scored 25 runs in 28 innings against him last season. That total included a 9.49 ERA at Citizens Bank Park. In his career, over 100 innings pitched, Pelfrey has a 7-7 record and a 5.37 ERA against the Phillies.

Hopefully the Phils can wake up from the offensive slump against a pitcher who they have showed dominance against over the past years. The Phillies' hottest hitter is Freddy Galvis, who started his career 0-12 and is now 6-15 (.400). Galvis has never faced Pelfrey, but we'll see how he and the rest of the lineup takes him and how much they back up Hamels today.

Today's lineup vs NYM: